With virtually the entire TCU/Boise teams returning intact, both will go undefeated next year. Both will have high-profile regular-season wins. Both will have the halo effect from this season's BCS breakthrough. The effort DID chip away at the BCS establishment, and that will pay off next year when TCU, Boise and one BCS-league team (I'll say Ohio State) will be undefeated. The winner of their game tonight will have the advantage in the minds of the coaches and Harris pollsters who will help decide next season's national-title pairing. Not just in the preseason -- but in the final ballot.
Only one unbeaten non-BCS party-crasher will be given an invite to next year's national championship game. With both teams looking even stronger in 2010 than they did in 2009, tonight might as well be the head-to-head "playoff" to pick between them.